Gov Okorocha’s Aides Arrested by EFCC for Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives on Wednesday arrested three top officials of Imo state government for allegedly diverting the sum of N2bn bailout meant for the payment of salary arrears of the state’s civil servants.

The suspects, Obi Paschal Chigozie, principal secretary to the governor of Imo state; Uzoho Casmir, director of finance; and Iheoma Kenneth, the treasurer were arrested by the EFCC.

According to the EFCC “Their arrest followed an investigation into the alleged diversion of the said money which revealed that, the cashier had made cash withdrawal of N456.532m between September 3, 2015 and October 10, 2015 from the government house account domiciled in Zenith Bank,” EFCC said in a statement on Thursday.

“However, it was revealed that the said amount was given to an aide of the chief of staff to the governor, following approval and directive by the principal secretary to the governor.”

The operativves of the EFCC added that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.